By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has begun a presidentially directed review of funding arrangements for Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad, with a focus on developing a sustainable, transparent and predictable financing framework.
The initiative is being led by the RMAFC Chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, who chaired the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Technical Working Group on the Review of Funding Arrangements for Nigeria’s Foreign Missions at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
The meeting followed a presidential directive issued on October 14, 2026, mandating a comprehensive fiscal and technical review of the existing funding arrangements in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to address persistent financial challenges confronting Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
Speaking at the meeting, Shehu expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the intervention, describing it as a timely step towards finding a lasting solution to the funding challenges.
He said the President expected the Working Group to develop practical and implementable recommendations capable of resolving the problem permanently.
“Mr President is very passionate about this exercise. So he expects us to come up with something that is workable, that can be implemented and that can solve this problem once and for all,” he stated.
The RMAFC chairman described Nigeria’s diplomatic missions as enduring symbols of the country’s sovereignty and vital instruments of international engagement, noting that they play critical roles in protecting Nigerians abroad, strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations, promoting trade and investment, and projecting the country’s image internationally.
He warned that their ability to discharge these responsibilities should not be compromised by uncertainty in the provision and management of essential resources.
Shehu explained that the Commission’s involvement was anchored on its constitutional responsibility under Paragraph 32(c), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which empowers it to advise the Federal and State Governments on fiscal efficiency and methods of increasing revenue.
He stressed that the intervention was intended to complement, rather than encroach on, the statutory responsibilities of other government institutions.
According to him, the presidential directive requires the Working Group to submit a comprehensive report, alongside a programme of action for implementation, not later than December 11, 2026.
Outlining the group’s assignment, Shehu urged members to critically examine existing funding arrangements, identify the causes of financial instability, evaluate alternative funding options and recommend a framework that is transparent, predictable, affordable and sustainable within Nigeria’s fiscal realities.
He emphasised that the review should go beyond calls for increased budgetary allocations to address issues surrounding timely fund releases, budget preparation and execution, foreign exchange arrangements, expenditure management and the prioritisation of critical diplomatic commitments.
The chairman also encouraged members to examine international best practices while ensuring that their recommendations reflect Nigeria’s constitutional, legal and institutional realities.
He identified evidence-based analysis, inclusive deliberations and practical, legally sound recommendations as the guiding principles for the exercise.
Shehu maintained that the assignment should not be treated as an investigation into institutional shortcomings or an exercise in apportioning blame, but as a collective effort to establish a more coordinated and sustainable funding arrangement for the country’s diplomatic responsibilities.
He further directed the Working Group to agree on its Terms of Reference, develop a structured work plan, identify the relevant financial and operational documents required from participating institutions and determine modalities for wider stakeholder consultations.
He said the final report must provide evaluated funding options, identify a preferred approach and outline a clear implementation framework, including timelines, institutional responsibilities and necessary administrative or legal measures.
The RMAFC chairman assured members that the Commission would provide secretariat coordination and technical support, while urging participating institutions to give the exercise priority and ensure timely access to relevant information.
Among those present were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dunoma Umar Ahmed; Senior Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Oluremi Olumide; and Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, DCG Franka Halliday.
Also in attendance were representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, alongside RMAFC Federal Commissioners and other stakeholders.
The inaugural meeting marks the beginning of a coordinated inter-agency effort to strengthen the operational capacity of Nigeria’s foreign missions and ensure that the country’s international obligations are met through a transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible funding system.
